Chapter X: Front Matter (10)

The foundation of the British Museum dates from 1753, when effect was given to the bequest (in exchange for £20,000 to be paid to his executors) by Sir Hans Sloane, of his books, manuscripts, curiosities, &c., to be held by trustees for the use of the nation. A bill was passed through parliament for the purchase of the Sloane collections and of the Harleian MSS., costing £10,000. To these, with the Cottonian MSS., acquired by the country in 1700, was added by George II., in 1757, the royal library of the former kings of England, coupled with the privilege, which that library had for many years enjoyed, of obtaining a copy of every publication entered at Stationers' Hall. This addition was of the highest importance, as it enriched the museum with the old collections of Archbishop Cranmer, Henry prince of Wales, and other patrons of literature, while the transfer of the privilege with regard to the acquisition of new books, a right which has been maintained by successive Copyright Acts, secured a large and continuous augmentation. A lottery having been authorized to defray the expenses of purchases, as well as for providing suitable accommodation, the museum and library were established in Montague House, and opened to the public 15th January 1759. In 1763 George III. presented the well-known Thomason collection (in 2220 volumes) of books and pamphlets issued in England between 1640 and 1662, embracing all the controversial literature which appeared during that period. The Rev. C. M. Cracherode, one of the trustees, bequeathed his collection of choice books in 1799; and in 1820 Sir Joseph Banks left to the nation his important library of 16,000 vols. Many other libraries have since then been incorporated in the museum, the most valuable being George III.'s royal collection (15,000 vols. of tracts, and 65,259 vols. of printed books, including many of the utmost rarity, which had cost the king about £130,000), which was presented (for a pecuniary consideration, it has been said) by George IV. in 1823, and that of the Right Honourable Thomas Grenville (20,240 vols. of rare books, all in fine condition and binding), which was acquired under bequest in 1846. The Cracherode, Banksian, King's and Grenville libraries are still preserved as separate collections. Other libraries of minor note have also been absorbed in a similar way, while, at least since the time of Panizzi, no opportunity has been neglected of making useful purchases at all the British and Continental book auctions.

The collection of English books is far from approaching completeness, but, apart from the enormous number of volumes, the library contains an extraordinary quantity of rarities. Few libraries in the United States equal either in number or value the American books in the museum. The collection of Slavonic literature, due to the initiative of Thomas Watts, is also a remarkable feature. Indeed, in cosmopolitan interest the museum is without a rival in the world, possessing as it does the best library in any European language out of the territory in which the language is vernacular. The Hebrew, the Chinese, and printed books in other Oriental languages are important and represented in large numbers. Periodical literature has not been forgotten, and the series of newspapers is of great extent and interest. Great pains are taken by the authorities to obtain the copies of the newspapers published in the United Kingdom to which they are entitled by the provisions of the Copyright Act, and upwards of 3400 are annually collected, filed and bound.

The department of MSS. is almost equal In importance to that of the printed books. The collection of MSS. in European languages ranges from the 3rd century before Christ down to our own times, and includes the _Codex Alexandrinus_ of the Bible. The old historical chronicles of England, the charters of the Anglo-Saxon kings, and the celebrated series of Arthurian romances are well represented; and care has been taken to acquire on every available opportunity the imprinted works of English writers. The famous collections of MSS. made by Sir Robert Cotton and Robert Harley, earl of Oxford, have already been mentioned, and from these and other sources the museum has become rich in early Anglo-Saxon and Latin codices, some of them being marvels of skill in calligraphy and ornamentation, such as the charters of King Edgar and Henry I. to Hyde Abbey, which are written in gold letters; or the Lindisfarne gospels (A.D. 700) containing the earliest extant Anglo-Saxon version of the Latin gospels. The Burney collection of classical MSS. furnished important additions, so that from this source and from the collection of Arundel MSS. (transferred from the Royal Society in 1831), the museum can boast of an early copy of the _Iliad_, and one of the earliest known codices of the _Odyssey_. Among the unrivalled collection of Greek papyri are the unique MSS. of several works of ancient literature. Irish, French and Italian MSS. are well represented. Special reference may be made to the celebrated Bedford Hours, illuminated for the duke of Bedford, regent of France, to the Sforza Book of Hours and to Queen Mary's Psalter. The Oriental collection is also extremely valuable, including the library formed by Mr Rich (consul at Baghdad in the early part of the 19th century), and a vast quantity of Arabic, Persian and Turkish MSS.; the Chambers collection of Sanskrit MSS.; several other collections of Indian MSS.; and a copious library of Hebrew MSS. (including that of the great scholar Michaelis, and codices of great age, recently brought from Yemen). The collection of Syriac MSS., embracing the relics of the famous library of the convent of St Mary Deipara in the Nitrian desert, formed by the abbot Moses of Nisibis, in the 10th century, is the most important in existence; of the large store of Abyssinian volumes many were amassed after the campaign against King Theodore. The number of genealogical rolls and documents relating to the local and family history of Great Britain is very large. Altogether there are now more than 56,000 MSS. (of which over 9000 are Oriental), besides more than 75,000 charters and rolls. There is a very large and valuable collection of printed and manuscript music of all kinds, and it is probable that of separate pieces there are nearly 200,000. The catalogue of music is partly in manuscript and partly printed, and a separate printed catalogue of the MS. music has been published. The number of maps is also very large, and a printed catalogue has been issued.

The general catalogue of the printed books was at one time kept in MS.
in large volumes, but since 1880 the entries have gradually been
superseded by the printed titles forming part of the large
alphabetical catalogue which was completed in 1900. This important
work is arranged in the order of authors' names, with occasional
special entries at words like Bible, periodicals and biographical
names. It is being constantly supplemented and forms an invaluable
bibliographical work of reference.

The other printed catalogues of books commence with one published in 2
vols. folio (1787), followed by that of 1813-1819 in 7 vols. 8vo; the
next is that of the library of George III. (1820-1829, 5 vols. folio,
with 2 vols. 8vo, 1834), describing the geographical and topographical
collections; and then the _Bibliotheca Grenvilliana_ (1842-1872, 4
vols. 8vo). The first vol. (letter A) of a general catalogue appeared
in 1841 in a folio volume which has never been added to. The octavo
catalogue of the Hebrew books came out in 1867; that of the Sanskrit
and Pali literature is in 4to (1876); and the Chinese catalogue is
also in 4to (1877). There is a printed list of the books of reference
(1910) in the reading-room.

The printed catalogues of the MSS. are--that of the old Royal Library
(1734, 4to), which in 1910 was shortly to be superseded by a new one;
the Sloane and others hitherto undescribed (1782, 2 vols. 4to); the
Cottonian (1802, folio); the Harleian (1808, 4 vols. folio); the
Hargrave (1818, 4to); the Lansdowne (1819, folio); the Arundel (1840,
folio); the Burney (1840, folio); the Stowe (1895-1896, 4to); the
Additional, in periodical volumes since 1836; the Greek Papyri
(1893-1910); the Oriental (Arabic and Ethiopic), 5 pts., folio
(1838-1871); the Syriac (1870-1873, 3 pts., 4to); the Ethiopic (1877,
4to); the Persian (1879-1896, 4 vols. 4to); and the Spanish
(1875-1893, 4 vols. 8vo); Turkish (1888); Hebrew and Samaritan
(1900-1909, 3 vols.); Sanskrit (1903); Hindi, &c. (1899); Sinhalese
(1900). There are also catalogues of the Greek and Egyptian papyri
(1839-1846, 5 pts., folio). Many other special catalogues have been
issued, including one of the Thomason Collection of Civil War
pamphlets, Incunabula (vol. i.), Romances (MSS.), Music, Seals and
Arabic, Hebrew and other Oriental books, maps, prints and drawings.
Perhaps the most useful catalogue of all is the _Subject-index to
Modern Works_ issued in 1881-1905 (4 vols.) and compiled by Mr G. K.
Fortescue.

The _Rules for compiling catalogues in the department of printed
books_ were revised and published in 1906.

The building in which the library is housed forms part of the fine group situated in Great Russell Street in central London, and is distinguished by a stately circular reading-room designed by Sydney Smirke from suggestions and sketches supplied by Sir A. Panizzi. This was begun in 1855 and opened in 1857. The room is surrounded by book stores placed in galleries with iron floors, in which, owing to congestion of stock, various devices have been introduced, particularly a hanging and rolling form of auxiliary bookcase. The presses inside the reading-room, arranged in three tiers, contain upwards of 60,000 vols., those on the ground floor (20,000) being books of reference to which readers have unlimited access. The accommodation for readers is comfortable and roomy, each person having a portion of table fitted with various conveniences. Perhaps not the least convenient arrangement here is the presence of the staff in the centre of the room, at the service of readers who require aid.

In order to enjoy the privilege of reading at the British Museum, the
applicant (who must be over twenty-one years of age) must obtain a
renewable ticket of admission through a recommendation from a
householder addressed to the principal librarian.

The pressure upon the space at the command of the library has been so
great that additional land at the rear and sides of the existing
buildings was purchased by the government for the further extension of
the Museum. One very important wing facing Torrington Square was
nearly completed in 1910. The Natural History Museum, South
Kensington, a department of the British Museum under separate
management, has a library of books on the natural sciences numbering
nearly 100,000 vols.

Patent Office.

Next in importance to the British Museum, and superior to it in accessibility, is the Library of the Patent Office in Southampton Buildings, London. This is a department of the Board of Trade, and though primarily intended for office use and patentees, it is really a public library freely open to anyone. The only formality required from readers is a signature in a book kept in the entrance hall. After this readers have complete access to the shelves. The library contains considerably over 110,000 vols., and possesses complete sets of the patents specifications of all countries, and a remarkable collection of the technical and scientific periodicals of all countries. The library was first opened in 1855, in somewhat unsuitable premises, and in 1897 it was transferred to a handsome new building.

The reading-room is provided with two galleries and the majority of
the books are open to public inspection without the need for
application forms. A printed catalogue in author-alphabetical form has
been published with supplement, and in addition, separate subject
catalogues are issued. This is one of the most complete libraries of
technology in existence, and its collection of scientific transactions
and periodicals is celebrated.

Other state libraries.

Another excellent special library is the National Art Library, founded in 1841 and transferred to South Kensington in 1856. It contains about half a million books, prints, drawings and photographs, and is used mostly by the students attending the art schools, though the general public can obtain admission on payment of sixpence per week.

A somewhat similar library on the science side is the Science Library of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, which was founded in 1857. It is a general science collection and incorporates most of the books which at one time were in the Museum of Practical Geology.

The only other state library which is open to the public is that of the Board of Education in Whitehall, which was opened in a new building in 1908. It contains a large collection of works on educational subjects for which a special classification has been devised and printed.

The other state libraries in London may be briefly noted as follows:
Admiralty (1700), 40,000 vols.; College of Arms, or Heralds College,
15,000 vols.; Colonial Office, c. 15,000 vols.; Foreign Office, c.
80,000 vols.; Home Office (1800) c. 10,000 vols.; House of Commons
(1818), c. 50,000 vols.; House of Lords (1834), 50,000 vols.; India
Office (1800), c. 86,000 vols.; Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens (1853),
22,000 vols.; and Royal Observatory (Greenwich), c. 20,000 vols.

Outside London the most important state library is the National
Library of Ireland, Dublin, founded in 1877 and incorporating the
library of the Royal Dublin Society. It is housed in a handsome
building (1890) and contains about 200,000 vols., classified on the
Decimal system, and catalogued in various forms. The library of the
Museum of Science and Art at Edinburgh, containing over 20,000 vols.,
was opened to the public in 1890. Practically every department of the
state has a reference library of some kind for the use of the staff,
and provision is also made for lending libraries and reading-rooms in
connexion with garrisons, naval depots and other services of the army
and navy.

No professional qualifications are required for positions in British state libraries, most of the assistants being merely second-division clerks who have passed the Civil Service examinations. It would be an advantage from an administrative point of view if the professional certificates of the Library Association were adopted by the Civil Service Commissioners as compulsory requirements in addition to their own examination. The official recognition of a grade of properly trained librarians would tend to improve the methods and efficiency of the state libraries, which are generally behind the municipal libraries in organization and administration.

Oxford.

_University and Collegiate Libraries._--The Bodleian Library, Oxford, though it had been preceded by various efforts towards a university library, owed its origin to Sir Thomas Bodley (q.v.). Contributing largely himself, and procuring contributions from others, he opened the library with upwards of 2000 vols. in 1602. In 1610 he obtained a grant from the Stationers' Company of a copy of every work printed in the country, a privilege still enjoyed under the provisions of the various copyright acts. The additions made to the library soon surpassed the capacity of the room, and the founder proceeded to enlarge it. By his will he left considerable property to the university for the maintenance and increase of the library. The example set by Bodley found many noble imitators. Amongst the chief benefactors have been Archbishop Laud, the executors of Sir Kenelm Digby, John Selden, Sir Thomas (Lord) Fairfax, Richard Gough, Francis Douce, Richard Rawlinson, and the Rev. Robert Mason. The library now contains almost 800,000 printed vols., and about 41,000 manuscripts. But the number of volumes, as bound up, conveys a very inadequate idea of the size or value of the collection. In the department of Oriental manuscripts it is perhaps superior to any other European library; and it is exceedingly rich in other manuscript treasures. It possesses a splendid series of Greek and Latin _editiones principes_ and of the earliest productions of English presses. Its historical manuscripts contain most valuable materials for the general and literary history of the country.

The last general catalogue of the printed books was printed in 4 vols.
folio (1843-1851). In 1859 it was decided to prepare a new manuscript
catalogue on the plan of that then in use at the British Museum, and
this has been completed in duplicate. In 1910 it was being amended
with a view to printing. It is an alphabetical author-catalogue; and
the Bodleian, like the British Museum, has no complete subject-index.
A slip-catalogue on subjects was, however, in course of preparation in
1910, and there are classified hand-lists of accessions since 1883.
There are also printed catalogues of the books belonging to several of
the separate collections. The MSS. are in general catalogued according
to the collections to which they belong, and they are all indexed. A
number of the catalogues of manuscripts have been printed.

In 1860 the beautiful Oxford building known as the "Radcliffe Library," now called the "Radcliffe Camera," was offered to the curators of the Bodleian by the Radcliffe trustees. The Radcliffe Library was founded by the famous physician Dr John Radcliffe, who died in 1714, and bequeathed, besides a permanent endowment of £350 a year, the sum of £40,000 for a building. The library was opened in 1749. Many years ago the trustees resolved to confine their purchases of books to works on medicine and natural science. When the university museum and laboratories were built in 1860, the trustees allowed the books to be transferred to the museum. It is used as a storehouse for the more modern books, and it also serves as a reading-room. It is the only room open after the hour when the older building is closed owing to the rule as to the exclusion of artificial light. In 1889 the gallery of the Radcliffe Camera was opened as an addition to the reading-room.

A _Staff Kalendar_ has been issued since 1902, which with a
_Supplement_ contains a complete list of cataloguing rules, routine
work of the libraries and staff, and useful information of many kinds
concerning the library methods.

The Bodleian Library is open by right to all graduate members of the university, and to others upon producing a satisfactory recommendation. No books are allowed to be sent out of the library except by special leave of the curators and convocation of the university. The administration and control of the library are committed to a librarian and board of thirteen curators. The permanent endowment is comparatively small; the ordinary expenditure, chiefly defrayed from the university chest, is about £10,000. Within recent years the use of wheeling metal bookcases has been greatly extended, and a large repository has been arranged for economical book storage underground.

The Taylor Institution is due to the benefaction of Sir Robert Taylor,
an architect, who died in 1788, leaving his property to found an
establishment for the teaching of modern languages. The library was
established in 1848, and is devoted to the literature of the modern
European languages. It contains a fair collection of works on European
philology, with a special Dante collection, about 1000 Mazarinades and
400 Luther pamphlets. The Finch collection, left to the university in
1830, is also kept with the Taylor Library. Books are lent out to
members of the university and to others on a proper introduction. The
endowment affords an income of £800 to £1000 for library purposes.

The libraries of the several colleges vary considerably in extent and
character, although, owing chiefly to limited funds, the changes and
growth of all are insignificant. That of All Souls was established in
1443 by Archbishop Chichele, and enlarged in 1710 by the munificent
bequest of Christopher Codrington. It devotes special attention to
jurisprudence, of which it has a large collection. It possesses 40,000
printed volumes and 300 MSS., and fills a splendid hall 200 ft. long.
The library of Brasenose College has a special endowment fund, so that
it has, for a college library, the unusually large income of £200. The
library of Christ Church is rich in divinity and topography. It
embraces the valuable library bequeathed by Charles Boyle, 4th earl of
Orrery, amounting to 10,000 volumes, the books and MSS. of Archbishop
Wake, and the Morris collection of Oriental books. The building was
finished in 1761, and closely resembles the basilica of Antoninus at
Rome, now the Dogana. Corpus possesses a fine collection of Aldines,
many of them presented by its founder, Bishop Fox, and a collection of
17th-century tracts catalogued by Mr Edwards, with about 400 MSS.
Exeter College Library has 25,000 volumes, with special collections of
classical dissertations and English theological and political tracts.
The library of Jesus College has few books of later date than the
early part of the last century. Many of them are from the bequest of
Sir Leoline Jenkins, who built the existing library. There are also
some valuable Welsh MSS. The library of Keble College consists largely
of theology, including the MSS. of many of Keble's works. The library
of Magdalen College has about 22,500 volumes (including many volumes
of pamphlets) and 250 MSS. It has scientific and topographical
collections. The library of Merton College has of late devoted itself
to foreign modern history. New College Library has about 17,000
printed volumes and about 350 MSS., several of which were presented by
its founder, William of Wykeham. Oriel College Library, besides its
other possessions, has a special collection of books on comparative
philology and mythology, with a printed catalogue. The fine library of
Queen's College is strong in theology, in English and modern European
history, and in English county histories. St John's College Library is
largely composed of the literature of theology and jurisprudence
before 1750, and possesses a collection of medical books of the 16th
and 17th centuries. The newer half of the library building was
erected by Inigo Jones at the expense of Laud, who also gave many
printed and manuscript books. The room used as a library at Trinity
College formed part of Durham College, the library of which was
established by Richard of Bury. Wadham College Library includes a
collection of botanical books bequeathed by Richard Warner in 1775 and
a collection of books, relating chiefly to the Spanish Reformers,
presented by the executors of Benjamin Wiffen. Worcester College
Library has of late specially devoted itself to classical archaeology.
It is also rich in old plays.

The college libraries as a rule have not been used to the extent they
deserve, and a good deal must be done before they can be said to be as
useful and efficient as they might be.

Cambridge.

The history of the University Library at Cambridge dates from the earlier part of the 15th century. Two early lists of its contents are preserved, the first embracing 52 vols. dating from about 1425, the second a shelf-list, apparently of 330 vols., drawn up by the outgoing proctors in 1473. Its first great benefactor was Thomas Scott of Rotherham, archbishop of York, who erected in 1475 the building in which the library continued until 1755. He also gave more than 200 books and manuscripts to the library, some of which still remain. The library received other benefactions, but nevertheless appeared "but mean" to John Evelyn when he visited Cambridge in 1654. In 1666 Tobias Rustat presented a sum of money to be invested to buy the choicest and most useful books. In 1715 George I. presented the library of Bishop Moore, which was very rich in early English printed books, forming over 30,000 vols. of printed books and manuscripts. The funds bequeathed by William Worts and John Manistre, together with that of Rustat, produce at present about £1500 a year. The share of university dues appropriated to library purposes amounts to £3000 a year. In addition the library is entitled to new books under the Copyright Acts. The number of printed volumes in the library cannot be exactly stated, as no recent calculation on the subject exists. It has been estimated at half a million. It includes a fine series of _editiones principes_ of the classics and of the early productions of the English press. The MSS. number over 6000, in which are included a considerable number of adversaria or printed books with MS. notes, which form a leading feature in the collection. The most famous of the MSS. is the celebrated copy of the four gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, which is known as _Codex Bezae_, and which was presented to the university by that Reformer.

A catalogue of the MSS. has been published in 4 vols. (1856-1861), and
this has been followed up by the publication of a number of separate
catalogues of Persian, Syriac, Hebrew, Chinese, &c., MSS. There is no
published catalogue of the books, although the catalogue is in print,
the accessions being printed and cut up and arranged in volumes. A
catalogue of English books before 1640 is in course of publication.
The regulations of the library with regard to the lending of books are
very liberal, as many as ten volumes being allowed out to one borrower
at the same time. The annual income is about £7000.

There is a library attached to the Fitzwilliam Museum, bequeathed to the university in 1816. It consists of the entire library of Lord Fitzwilliam, with the addition of an archaeological library bought from the executors of Colonel Leake, and a small number of works, chiefly on the history of art, since added by purchase or bequest. It contains a collection of engravings of old masters, a collection of music, printed and MS., and a collection of illuminated MSS., chiefly French and Flemish, of the 14th to 16th centuries. The books are not allowed to be taken out. Catalogues and reprints of some of the music and other collections have been published.

The library of Trinity College, which is contained in a magnificent
hall built by Sir Christopher Wren, has about 90,000 printed and 1918
MS. vols., and is especially strong in theology, classics and
bibliography. It owes to numerous gifts and bequests the possession of
a great number of rare books and manuscripts. Amongst these special
collections are the Capell collection of early dramatic and especially
Shakespearian literature, the collection of German theology and
philosophy bequeathed by Archdeacon Hare, and the Grylls bequest in
1863 of 9600 vols., including many early printed books. There are
printed catalogues of the Sanskrit and other Oriental MSS. by Dr
Aufrecht and Professor Palmer, and of the incunabula by the late
librarian, Mr Sinker. The library is open to all members of the
college, and the privilege of using it is liberally extended to
properly accredited students. One of the most interesting libraries
is that of Trinity Hall, in which the original bookcases and benches
are preserved, and many books are seen chained to the cases, as used
formerly to be the practice.

None of the other college libraries rivals Trinity in the number of
books. The library of Christ's College received its first books from
the foundress. Clare College Library includes a number of Italian and
Spanish plays of the end of the 16th century left by George Ruggle.
The library of Corpus Christi College first became notable through the
bequest of books and MSS. made by Archbishop Parker in 1575. The
printed books are less than 5000 in number, and the additions now made
are chiefly in such branches as throw light on the extremely valuable
collection of ancient MSS., which attracts scholars from all parts of
Europe. There is a printed catalogue of these MSS. Gonville and Caius
College Library is of early foundation. A catalogue of the MSS. was
printed in 1849, with pictorial illustrations, and a list of the
incunabula in 1850. The printed books of King's College includes the
fine collection bequeathed by Jacob Bryant in 1804. The MSS. are
almost wholly Oriental, chiefly Persian and Arabic, and a catalogue of
them has been printed. Magdalene College possesses the curious library
formed by Pepys and bequeathed by him to the college, together with
his collections of prints and drawings and of rare British portraits.
It is remarkable for its treasures of popular literature and English
ballads, as well as for the Scottish manuscript poetry collected by
Sir Richard Maitland. The books are kept in Pepys's own cases, and
remain just as he arranged them himself. The library Of Peterhouse is
the oldest library in Cambridge, and possesses a catalogue of some 600
or 700 books dating from 1418, in which year it was completed. It is
chiefly theological, though it possesses a valuable collection of
modern works on geology and natural science, and a unique collection
of MS. music. Queen's College Library contains about 30,000 vols.
mainly in theology, classics and Semitic literature, and has a printed
class-catalogue. The library of St John's College is rich in early
printed books, and possesses a large collection of English historical
tracts. Of the MSS. and rare books there is a printed catalogue.

London.

The library of the university of London, founded in 1837, has over 60,000 vols, and includes the Goldsmith Library of economic literature, numbering 30,000 vols. Other collections are De Morgan's collection of mathematical books, Grote's classical library, &c. There is a printed catalogue of 1897, with supplements. Since its removal to South Kensington, this library has been greatly improved and extended. University College Library, Gower Street, established in 1829, has close upon 120,000 vols. made up chiefly of separate collections which have been acquired from time to time. Many of these collections overlap, and much duplicating results, leading to congestion. These collections include Jeremy Bentham's library, Morrison's Chinese library, Barlow's Dante library, collections of law, mathematical, Icelandic, theological, art, oriental and other books, some of them of great value.

King's College Library, founded in 1828, has over 30,000 vols. chiefly of a scientific character. In close association with the university of London is the London School of Economics and Political Science in Clare Market, in which is housed the British Library of Political Science with 50,000 vols. and a large number of official reports and pamphlets.

The collegiate library at Dulwich dates from 1619, and a list of its earliest accessions, in the handwriting of the founder, may still be seen. There are now about 17,000 vols. of miscellaneous works of the 17th and 18th centuries, with a few rare books. A catalogue of them was printed in 1880; and one describing the MSS. (567) and the muniments (606) was issued during the succeeding year. The last two classes are very important, and include the well-known "Alleyn Papers" and the theatrical diary of Philip Henslow. Sion College is a gild of the parochial clergy of the city and suburbs of London, and the library was founded in 1629 for their use; laymen may also read (but not borrow) the books when recommended by some beneficed metropolitan clergyman. The library is especially rich in liturgies, Port-Royal authors, pamphlets, &c., and contains about 100,000 vols. classified on a modification of the Decimal system. The copyright privilege was commuted in 1835 for an annual sum of £363, 15s. 2d. The present building was opened in 1886 and is one of the striking buildings of the Victoria Embankment.

Most of the London collegiate or teaching institutions have libraries
attached to them, and it will only be necessary to mention a few of
the more important to get an idea of their variety: Baptist College
(1810), 13,000 vols.; Bedford College (for women), 17,000 vols.;
Birkbeck College (1823), 12,000 vols.; Congregational Library
(1832-1893), 14,000 vols.; the Royal College of Music, containing the
library of the defunct Sacred Harmonic Society; Royal Naval College
(Greenwich, 1873), 7000 vols.; St Bartholomew's Hospital (1422),
15,000 vols.; St Paul's School (1509), 10,000 vols.; the Working Men's
College (1854), 5000 vols.; and all the Polytechnic schools in the
Metropolitan area.

English provinces.

The university library of Durham (1832) contains about 35,000 vols., and all the modern English universities--Birmingham, Mason University College (1880), 27,000 vols.; Leeds, Liverpool (1882), 56,000 vols.; Manchester, Victoria University, which absorbed Owens College (1851), 115,000 vols.; Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Sheffield (1907), &c.--have collections of books. The libraries in connexion with theological colleges and public schools throughout England are often quite extensive, and reference may be made to Eton College (1441), 25,000 vols.; Haileybury (1862), 12,000 vols.; Harrow (Vaughan Library), 12,000 vols.; Mill Hill; Oscott College, Erdington (1838), 36,000 vols.; Rugby (1878), 8000 vols.; Stonyhurst College (1794), c. 40,000 vols., &c. The new building for the university of Wales at Bangor has ample accommodation for an adequate library, and the University College at Aberystwith is also equipped with a library.

Scotland.

The origin of the University Library of Edinburgh is to be found in a bequest of his books of theology and law made to the town in 1580 by Clement Little, advocate. This was two years before the foundation of the university, and in 1584 the town council caused the collection to be removed to the college, of which they were the patrons. As it was the only library in the town, it continued to grow and received many benefactions, so that in 1615 it became necessary to erect a library building. Stimulated perhaps by the example of Bodley at Oxford, Drummond of Hawthornden made a large donation of books, of which he printed a catalogue in 1627, and circulated an appeal for assistance from others. In 1678 the library received a bequest of 2000 vols. from the Rev. James Nairne. In 1709 the library became entitled to the copy privilege, which has since been commuted for a payment of £575 per annum. In 1831 the books were removed to the present library buildings, for which a parliamentary grant had been obtained. The main library hall (190 ft. in length) is one of the most splendid apartments in Scotland. One of the rooms is set apart as a memorial to General Reid, by whose benefaction the library has greatly benefited. Amongst the more recent accessions have been the Halliwell-Phillips Shakespeare collection, the Laing collection of Scottish MSS., the Baillie collection of Oriental MSS. (some of which are of great value), and the Hodgson collection of works on political economy. The library now consists of about 210,000 vols. of printed books with over 2000 MSS. Recently it has been found necessary to make considerable additions to the shelving. The library of the university of Glasgow dates from the 15th century, and numbers George Buchanan and many other distinguished men amongst its early benefactors. A classified subject-catalogue has been printed, and there is also a printed dictionary catalogue. The annual accessions are about 1500, and the commutation-grant £707. Connected with the university, which is trustee for the public, is the library of the Hunterian Museum, formed by the eminent anatomist Dr William Hunter. It is a collection of great bibliographical interest, as it is rich in MSS. and in fine specimens of early printing, especially in Greek and Latin classics. There are about 200,000 vols. in the library.

The first mention of a library at St Andrews is as early as 1456. The
three colleges were provided with libraries of their own about the
time of their foundation--St Salvator's 1455, St Leonard's 1512, St
Mary's 1537. The University Library was established about 1610 by King
James VI., and in the course of the 18th century the college libraries
were merged in it. The copyright privilege was commuted in 1837. The
collection numbers 120,000 vols. exclusive of pamphlets, with about
200 MSS., chiefly of local interest. A library is supposed to have
existed at Aberdeen since the foundation of King's College by Bishop
Elphinstone in 1494. The present collection combines the libraries of
King's College and Marischal College, now incorporated in the
university. The latter had its origin in a collection of books formed
by the town authorities at the time of the Reformation, and for some
time kept in one of the churches. The library has benefited by the
Melvin bequest, chiefly of classical books, and those of Henderson and
Wilson, and contains some very valuable books. The general library is
located in Old Aberdeen in a room of imposing design, while the
medical and law books are in the New Town in Marischal College. The
library has a grant, in lieu of the copyright privilege, of £320. The
annual income of the library is £2500, and it contains over 180,000
vols. The books are classified on a modification of the decimal
system, and there are printed author and MS. subject-catalogues. By
arrangement with the municipal library authority, books are lent to
non-students. All the technical schools, public schools, and
theological and other colleges in Scotland are well equipped with
libraries as the following list will show:--Aberdeen: Free Church
College, 17,000 vols. Edinburgh: Fettes College, c. 5000 vols.;
Heriot's Hospital (1762), c. 5000 vols.; New College (1843), 50,000
vols. Glasgow: Anderson's College (containing the valuable Euing music
library), 16,000 vols.; United Free Church Theological College, 33,000
vols. Trinity College, Glenalmond, 5000 vols.

Ireland.

The establishment of the library of Trinity College, Dublin, is contemporaneous with that of the Bodleian at Oxford, and it is an interesting circumstance that, when Challoner and Ussher (afterwards the archbishop) were in London purchasing books to form the library, they met Bodley there, and entered into friendly intercourse and co-operation with him to procure the choicest and best books. The commission was given to Ussher and Challoner as trustees of the singular donation which laid the foundation of the library. In the year 1601 the English army determined to commemorate their victory over the Spanish troops at Kinsale by some permanent monument. Accordingly they subscribed the sum of £1800 to establish a library in the university of Dublin. For Ussher's own collection, consisting of 10,000 vols. and many valuable MSS., the college was also indebted to military generosity. On his death in 1655 the officers and soldiers of the English army then in Ireland purchased the whole collection for £22,000 with the design of presenting it to the college. Cromwell, however, interfered, alleging that he proposed to found a new college, where the books might more conveniently be preserved. They were deposited therefore in Dublin Castle, and the college only obtained them after the Restoration. In 1674 Sir Jerome Alexander left his law books with some valuable MSS. to the college. In 1726 Dr Palliser, archbishop of Cashel, bequeathed over 4000 vols. to the library; and ten years later Dr Gilbert gave the library nearly 13,000 vols. which he had himself collected and arranged. In 1745 the library received a valuable collection of MSS. as a bequest from Dr Stearne. In 1802 the collection formed by the pensionary Fagel, which had been removed to England on the French invasion of Holland, was acquired for £10,000. It consisted of over 20,000 vols. In 1805 Mr Quin bequeathed a choice collection of classical and Italian books. There have been many other smaller donations, in addition to which the library is continually increased by the books received under the Copyright Act. The library now contains 300,000 vols. and over 2000 MSS. There is no permanent endowment, and purchases are made by grants from the board. The whole collections are contained in one building, erected in 1732, consisting of eight rooms. The great library hall is a magnificent apartment over 200 ft. long. A new reading-room was opened in 1848. A catalogue of the books acquired before 1872 has been printed (1887). There is a printed catalogue of the MSS. and Incunabula (1890). Graduates of Dublin, Oxford, and Cambridge are admitted to read permanently, and temporary admission is granted by the board to any fit person who makes application.

The library of Queen's College, Belfast (1849), contains about 60,000
vols., while Queen's College, Cork (1849), has over 32,000 vols. St
Patrick's College, Maynooth (1795), has about 60,000, and other
collegiate libraries are well supplied with books.

Cathedral and church libraries.

With one or two exceptions, libraries are attached to the cathedrals of England and Wales. Though they are of course intended for the use of the cathedral or diocesan clergy, they are in most cases open to any respectable person who may be properly introduced. They seldom contain very much modern literature, chiefly consisting of older theology, with more or less addition of classical and historical literature. They vary in extent from a few volumes, as at Llandaff or St David's, to 20,000 vols., as at Durham. Together they possess nearly 150,000 printed and manuscript vols. As a rule, very little is spent upon them, and they are very little used. The chamber in the old cloisters, in which the library of the dean and chapter of Westminster is preserved, is well known from the charming description by Washington Irving in his _Sketch Book_. There are about 14,000 vols., mostly of old theology and history, including many rare Bibles and other valuable books. The library of the dean and chapter of St Paul's Cathedral was founded in very early times, and now numbers some 22,000 vols. and pamphlets, mainly theological, with a good collection of early Bibles and Testaments, Paul's Cross Sermons, and works connected with the cathedral.

Perhaps the best library of Catholic theology in London is that of the Oratory at South Kensington, established in 1849, and now containing nearly 35,000 vols. The Catholic Cathedral of Westminster, of recent foundation, contains about 22,000 vols. The archiepiscopal library at Lambeth was founded in 1610 by Archbishop Bancroft, and has been enriched by the gifts of Laud, Tenison, Manners Sutton, and others of his successors; it is now lodged in the noble hall built by Juxon. The treasures consist of the illuminated MSS., and a rich store of early printed books; of the latter two catalogues have been issued by Samuel Roffey Maitland (1792-1866). The MSS. are described in H. J. Todd's catalogue, 1812. The total number of printed books and manuscripts is nearly 45,000.

The library of Christ Church, Oxford, belongs alike to the college and
the cathedral, but will be more properly described as a college
library. The cathedral library of Durham dates from monastic times,
and possesses many of the books which belonged to the monastery. These
were added to by Dean Sudbury, the second founder of the library, and
Bishop Cosin. The collection has been considerably increased in more
modern times, and now contains 15,000 vols. It is especially rich in
MSS., some of which are of great beauty and value; a catalogue of them
was printed in 1825. The library has good topographical and
entomological collections. The chapter spend £370 per annum in
salaries and in books. The library at York numbers about 11,000 vols.,
and has been very liberally thrown open to the public. It is kept in
the former chapel of the archbishop's palace, and has many valuable
MSS. and early printed books. The foundation of the library at
Canterbury dates probably from the Roman mission to England, A.D. 596,
although the library does not retain any of the books then brought
over, or even of the books said to have been sent by Pope Gregory to
the first archbishop in 601. It is recorded that among Lanfranc's
buildings was a new library, and Becket is said to have collected
books abroad to present to the library. The collection now numbers
about 9900 printed books, with about 110 MS. vols., and between 6000
and 7000 documents. A catalogue was printed in 1802. The present
building was erected in 1867 on part of the site of the monastic
dormitory. The library at Lincoln contains 7400 vols., of which a
catalogue was printed in 1859. It possesses a fine collection of
political tracts of the age of Elizabeth, James and Charles I. The
present collection at Chichester dates from the Restoration only; that
at Ely is rich in books and tracts relating to the non-jurors. The
library at Exeter possesses many Saxon MSS. of extreme interest, one
of them being the gift of Leofric, the first bishop. The treasures of
Lichfield were destroyed by the Puritans during the civil war, and the
existing library is of later formation. Frances, duchess of Somerset,
bequeathed to it nearly 1000 vols., including the famous Evangeliary
of St Chad. The collection at Norwich is chiefly modern, and was
presented by Dr Sayers. The earlier library at Peterborough having
almost wholly perished in the civil war, Bishop White Kennett became
the virtual founder of the present collection. Salisbury is rich in
incunabula, and a catalogue has recently been printed. Winchester
Cathedral Library is mainly the bequest of Bishop Morley in the 17th
century. The library at Bristol, then numbering 6000 or 7000 vols.,
was burnt and pillaged by the mob in the riots of 1831. Only about
1000 vols. were saved, many of which were recovered, but few additions
have been made to them. At Chester in 1691 Dean Arderne bequeathed his
books and part of his estate "as the beginning of a public library for
the clergy and city." The library of Hereford is a good specimen of an
old monastic library; the books are placed in the Lady Chapel, and
about 230 choice MSS. are chained to oaken desks. The books are ranged
with the edges outwards upon open shelves, to which they are attached
by chains and bars. Another most interesting "chained" library is that
at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, which contains about 280 books in their
original condition. The four Welsh cathedrals were supplied with
libraries by a deed of settlement in 1709. The largest of them, that
of St Asaph, has about 1750 vols. The Bibliotheca Leightoniana, or
Leightonian Library, founded by Archbishop Leighton in 1684 in
Dunblane Cathedral, Scotland, contains about 2000 vols., and is the
only cathedral library in Scotland of any historic interest. The
library of St Benedict's Abbey, Fort Augustus (1878) with 20,000 vols.
is an example of a recent foundation. The public library in St
Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, sometimes called Marsh's Library after
its founder, was established about 1694 by Archbishop Marsh, was
incorporated by act of parliament in 1707, and endowed by its founder
at his death in 1713. The building was erected by the founder, and the
original oak fittings still remain. There is no room for additions,
and a large collection of modern books was refused a few years ago on
that account. The endowment is too small to allow of purchases from
the funds of the library, so that it still retains the character of a
17th-century library. The books are chiefly theological, and in the
learned languages; they include the libraries of Bishop Stillingfleet
and of Elias Bouhereau, a French refugee, who was the first librarian.

Endowed libraries.

Endowed libraries may be defined as those which have been directly established by the bequests of individuals or corporate bodies, excluding those which have been assisted by donors or are merely named after them. As compared with the United States, the endowed libraries of Britain are few in number, although several are of great importance. London possesses very few libraries which have been endowed by individual donors. The principal are the Bishopsgate Institute (1891), which was founded out of sundry City of London charities, and now contains about 44,000 vols., and is celebrated for a fine collection of local prints, drawings and maps. It is open free to persons in the east part of the City. The Cripplegate Institute (1896) in Golden Lane, also founded out of charity moneys, has three branches--St Bride's Foundation Institute (18,000 vols.), jointly; Queen Street, Cheapside, Branch (8000 vols.); and St Luke's Institute (5000 vols.)--and contains 28,000 vols. Lectures and other entertainments are features of both these libraries. Dr Williams' library was founded by the will of an eminent Presbyterian divine of that name; it was opened in 1729. The books (50,000) are housed in a new building in Gordon Square, completed in 1873. Theology of all schools of opinion is represented, and there are special collections of theosophical books and MSS., the works of Boehme, Law, and other mystical writers. The MSS. include the original minutes of the Westminster Assembly, letters and treatises of Richard Baxter, &c. The St Bride Foundation Technical Reference Library (1895) is a very complete collection of books and specimens of printing and the allied arts, including the libraries of William Blades and Talbot Baines Reed, and a number of more modern books presented by Mr Passmore Edwards. It contains about 18,000 vols., and is open to all persons interested in printing, lithography, &c., and also to the general public.

The most notable of the English provincial endowed libraries are those
established in Manchester. The fine old library established by
Humphrey Chetham in 1653 is still housed in the old collegiate
buildings where Sir Walter Raleigh was once entertained by Dr Dee. The
collection consists largely of older literature, and numbers about
60,000 volumes and MSS. It is freely open to the public, and may be
said to have been the first free library in England. Catalogues in
broad classified form were issued in 1791-1863, and there have been
supplements since. A remarkable instance of a great library
established by private munificence is that of the John Rylands Library
at Manchester, which was founded, erected and endowed by Mrs E. A.
Rylands in memory of her husband, and is contained in a magnificent
building designed by Basil Champneys and opened in 1899. The
collection was formed largely on the famous Althorp Library, made by
Earl Spencer (40,000 vols.), one of the most remarkable collections of
early printed books and rare Bibles ever brought together. The present
number of volumes is about 115,000, of which over 2500 are incunabula.
A short-title catalogue, 3 vols. 4to., and one of English books, have
been published, and a manuscript dictionary catalogue has been
provided. Several valuable special catalogues and descriptive lists
have been issued, one of the latest being a special catalogue of the
architectural works contained in all the Manchester libraries.

The William Salt Library, a special Staffordshire library with
numerous MSS. and other collections, formed to bring together
materials for a history of Staffordshire, was opened to the public in
1874 in the town of Stafford. It contains nearly 20,000 books, prints
and other items.

Other endowed libraries in the English provinces which deserve mention
are the Bingham Public Library (1905) at Cirencester; the Guille-Allès
Library (1856), Guernsey; St Deiniol's Library (1894), Hawarden,
founded by William Ewart Gladstone, the great statesman; and the
Shakespeare Memorial Library and theatre (1879) at
Stratford-upon-Avon.

The most important endowed library in Scotland is the Mitchell Library
in Glasgow, founded by Stephen Mitchell, tobacco-manufacturer (1874),
who left £70,000 for the purpose. It was opened in 1877 in temporary
premises, and after various changes will soon be transferred to a very
fine new building specially erected. It contains some very valuable
special collections, among which may be mentioned Scottish poetry,
Burns' works, Glasgow books and printing, and a choice collection of
fine books on art and other subjects given by Robert Jeffrey. It
contains nearly 200,000 vols. and is the reference library for the
Glasgow public library system. Another older Glasgow public library,
also founded by a tobacco merchant, is Stirling's and Glasgow Public
Library (1791), which was endowed by Walter Stirling, and amalgamated
with an existing subscription library. It contains 60,000 vols. and is
free to reference readers, but a subscription is charged for borrowing
privileges. Still another Glasgow institution is Baillie's Institution
Free Reference Library, established under the bequest of George
Baillie (1863), but not opened till 1887. It contains over 24,000
vols. Other Scottish endowed libraries are the Anderson Library,
Woodside, Aberdeen (1883); the Taylor Free Library, Crieff (1890); the
Elder Free Library, Govan (1900); and the Chambers Institution,
Peebles (1859), founded by William Chambers, the well-known publisher.
The public library of Armagh, Ireland, was founded by Lord Primate
Robinson in 1770, who gave a considerable number of books and an
endowment. The books are freely available, either on the spot, or by
loan on deposit of double the value of the work applied for.

Libraries of societies and learned bodies.

There are many libraries belonging to societies devoted to the study of every kind of subject, and it is only necessary to mention a few of the principal. Full particulars of most of them will be found in Reginald A. Rye's _Libraries of London: a Guide for Students_ (1910), a work of accuracy and value.